News, Songs, Movies and Games: What the World Was Looking for in 2024 | Infographic news

Every December, Google releases its Year in Search, an insightful roundup of the most searched topics that reflect the world’s collective curiosity and what they type into the famous search bar.

In 2024, major news events such as global elections as well as the biggest cultural hits of the year drove the highest search traffic. Here’s a breakdown of the year’s most searched topics across news, people, movies, songs, games, and food and drink around the world.

Which news triggered the most searches in 2024?

Elections, sweltering temperatures raising environmental concerns and major sporting events have been top news stories this year.

The US election was the most searched news event of the year, reflecting global interest in American politics. From Joe Biden’s dramatic exit from the presidential race to heated debates between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the election generated a lot of excitement and peaked in late October/early November.

Excessive heat was the second most searched news story – a reminder of the growing climate crisis that brought sweltering record temperatures worldwide in 2024.

The Olympics, held in Paris this year, were the third most searched news event and featured a dazzling – and controversial – opening ceremony as well as record-breaking performances by athletes and new additions to the Games such as breaking.

Who were the most searched people in 2024?

Donald Trump was a polarizing figure and the most wanted person of the year. His legal battles and his ultimately successful candidacy for the US presidency ensured that he landed high in the search bar and stimulated discussions and online searches.

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, was the second most searched person, particularly due to her absence from royal duties earlier in the year, sparking a wave of speculation and concern.

Kamala Harris was the third most searched person worldwide in 2024. The Democrat and US Vice President attracted interest when she replaced outgoing President Joe Biden as the presidential candidate and was catapulted into the race for the White House just 100 days before the election.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif was the fourth most searched person in 2024. She won the gold medal in women’s welterweight boxing at the Olympics, sparking debate after a row over gender eligibility.

What films caught people’s attention in 2024?

Disney and Pixar’s animated sequel “Inside Out 2” topped global searches in the Movies category. The sequel to the 2015 hit film sparked new interest with its coming-of-age themes.

Deadpool and Wolverine and Saltburn were the second and third most searched films, respectively.

Which songs gained global attention in 2024?

Kendrick Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” became the most searched song of 2024. The powerful song was released in May and sparked discussions about race and appropriation.

APT by Rose and Bruno Mars and Bling-Bang-Bang-Born by Creepy Nuts were the second most searched songs this year.

Music’s global impact in 2024 spanned different languages ​​and cultures. Among the top 10 most searched songs was Japanese singer Kocchi no Kento’s single “Hai Yorokonde,” which debuted at number four on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

Likewise, Tamil singer Sai Abhyankkar’s Katchi Sera was the tenth most searched song in 2024 and became popular due to its soulful lyrics, music videos and choreography.

What games did people most want to play in 2024?

In the gaming world, The New York Times’ word game “Connections” caught the attention of gamers across the U.S. and beyond, making gamers everywhere flex their mental muscles in search of connections between words.

Meanwhile, Japanese developer Pocketpair released Palworld, which garnered worldwide attention for its unique blend of open-world exploration, crafting and creature companionship, offering a new take on survival games. Similarly, Infinite Craft captivated players with its limitless possibilities for building and creativity, cementing its place as a favorite among fans of sandbox gameplay.

The most searched games of 2024 show that popular games are no longer dominated by just a handful of studios or countries: games from Japan, China, Sweden and Finland are among the ten most searched games of 2024.

For example, Chinese game Black Myth: Wukong was the seventh most searched game of the year. The game is based on the 16th-century Chinese classic Journey to the West, about the Buddhist monk Xuanzang’s pilgrimage to India in search of sacred texts.

Which food and drink recipes were trending in 2024?

In the search for food and drink, the Olympics chocolate muffins recipe became a worldwide hit. Inspired by Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen, who described the muffins as his energy boost during the Games, it quickly became a viral sensation. Home cooks around the world tried to replicate the recipe and shared their results on social media platforms.

Another standout food search trend was tanghulu, a Chinese street food delicacy featuring skewered fruit covered in a glossy, crunchy sugar shell that became a hit with social media foodies.

Tini’s Mac and Cheese also earned a spot among the top food searches of the year. Known for its creamy twist on the classic comfort dish, it has become a popular recipe for those looking for a comforting meal that everyone can enjoy.